I wish more international fighters would fight in the states every once in a while, but its the opponent people have a problem with

Who were you expecting at such short notice? The hardcore US fans know who Cleverly is, this is a chance to introduce him to a wider audience. I trust the long-term plan. For me this is a very good move indeed. If the big fights don't happen next year, then I will complain.

well have you seen him fight? were you ****ed of when Bellew was named as his 1st defense?

I'm a big Bellew fan and even though I knew he'd run Cleverly close, I don't think he did deserve a world title shot. The best win of his career up until that point was beating Ovill McKenzie, which is simply not good enough to demand a world title fight. On ability, Bellew was worth it, of course, but the fact is, if a Ukrainian fighter had got a world title shot and his best was was someone with 10 losses, we'd all be annoyed. Rightly so too.

Bellew was rushed into the fight, in my opinion. He lost a close decision but if he fought Cleverly now, he'd beat him. The fight between them two was rushed and came before Bellew had earned and was ready for a world title shot.

I've seen him, he's good, but that's it, just good. and not in a "wow this kid is GOOD!" kind of way.

you also have Steve Lillis saying its "all about a US showcase" showcase fights are for prospects, ala George Groves vs Sierra, not for a world champion

I don't view Nathan as a world champ, he's really at Euro level and was just fortunate to come into a belt. The marketing annoys me, but it's not that big a deal.

The problem is that Clev's team are so clueless, Frank is almost being forced to make these match-ups. If he goes in with any decent world level guy, Nathan will get beaten. Simple as that. Pascal, Cloud, Dawson, Hopkins, Shumenov, and Campillo would all beat him.

Until Nathan brings in some professionals to his corner, it will be softly softly. He very nearly lost to Bellew and that will not have been lost of his very astute promoter.

Who were you expecting at such short notice? The hardcore US fans know who Cleverly is, this is a chance to introduce him to a wider audience. I trust the long-term plan. For me this is a very good move indeed. If the big fights don't happen next year, then I will complain.

I don't view Nathan as a world champ, he's really at Euro level and was just fortunate to come into a belt. The marketing annoys me, but it's not that big a deal.

The problem is that Clev's team are so clueless, Frank is almost being forced to make these match-ups. If he goes in with any decent world level guy, Nathan will get beaten. Simple as that. Pascal, Cloud, Dawson, Hopkins, Shumenov, and Campillo would all beat him.

Until Nathan brings in some professionals to his corner, it will be softly softly. He very nearly lost to Bellew and that will not have been lost of his very astute promoter.

Do you ever see him changing his team? I can't see Cleverly hanging around too long in the game so how many fights like these can he afford to have? also, is he serious enough about the game to contemplate getting rid of his father and stepping out of his comfort zone in order to make the improvements necessary?

Everyone says that Calzaghe should have done this: fight on a big US card and get some exposure in the states. Cleverly does it they are still not happy.

He won't be getting much exposure because there's no way this fight gets on the main Showtime broadcast. And if it wasn't for them recently starting showing the undercard fights on one of their sub-channels it wouldn't be shown at all. He'll be fighting in front of a few hundred die-hards so I don't think its all that beneficial really.

They've had since at least July and this is what gets delivered and then people moan that we're happy with the opponent??? And you wonder why with all that bloody time, cleverly is a waste of a champ at the moment.

I find it hard to take him that seriously at all as a champion. I have no problem with him, it's not his fault Brahmer pulled out of the fight, but he hasn't ever beat a world level operator other than Murat who was fringe level at best.

The fact that he is trained by his dad also seems ridiculous to me, you're a world champion with access to some of the best trainers in the country but you stick with your old man despite a total lack of credentials.

This opponent really just re-iterates the point that W***** won't be putting him in with anyone dangerous any time soon, you build up to fights like that with decent opponents first not guys like Coyne.